"Goodness, boy," Recovery Girl mumbled as she scanned Haru's arms, legs, and face. "What on earth cut you up like this?"
"Thorns. Oh, actually those on the wrist are from a shadow monster."
She sighed. "You know you've been working too long when hearing THAT doesn't surprise you. These are easily healable, at least." She gave him a kiss, and the cuts healed up quite cleanly. "Hmm…" the healer heroine scanned him over with a few more instruments, and then sat back. "Your muscles and tendons seem to be quite stiff and exhausted."
"This is the most I've ever used my Quirk in one day before," Haru explained.
"Right. I wish you were out of the tournament by now, but I know hot-blooded boys don't like to hear that. Just try and take your remaining fights more easily and work on improving your stamina. Also… well, maybe I shouldn't tell you this right now…"
Haru raised his eyebrows. "What? What is it?"
Recovery Girl seemed to consider a moment, and then shook her head. "Nothing. After the festival, perhaps. You need your focus."
Haru relaxed. "Sure enough." If it was something medically related to him, he DID want to know, but she had a point about it being a distraction.
He stood up to leave the infirmary as Recovery Girl moved over to do Shiozaki Ibara's checkup. The vine girl watched him go. When he caught her eye, she smiled. Awkwardly, Haru gave her a two-fingered wave and a half-smile before leaving.
Haru arrived back at the box as Kirishima and Tetsutetsu's fight was wrapping up. Just as he sat down, they knocked each other out.
"Oop. Holy shit," Sero breathed, as the crowd went silent.
"You must be joking," snorted Kaminari.
Jiro scoffed. "Those idiots."
Sato had stars in his eyes. "Incredible."
What followed was an explanation of procedure in the event of a draw. The two manly men would have a rematch… after the last qualifying battle.
The others seemed to notice Haru's return.
"Namikaze, nice job!" Ojiro patted him on the back.
"You managed to overcome her weaknesses as well as some of your own, it seemed," Iida complimented.
Midoriya just smiled proudly at him.
"Yeah, plus you managed to get her to like you, I think," complained Kaminari. "The crowd seemed to eat it up. I'm obligated to be proud, but also angry."
Jiro chopped him on the head. "You're an annoyance."
"But you saw it toooo! There was so much chemistry between them! They produced more sparks than I do! The media's gonna be all over it!"
Jiro might have blushed for a moment, but then she turned back to Haru. "Those Class B jerks were talking you down the whole time, by the way." She pointed an earplug to the wall dividing the boxes. "Specifically the blonde twat and the one who just got knocked out by Kirishima. Their class prez came 'round and sorted em out. She seemed alright."
"Huh?" Haru furrowed his eyebrows. "They were talking me down?" His anxiety seemed to spike.
Worry must have shown on his face, because Jiro waved a hand as if to calm him. "It's just because you happened to be the one going up against their star classmate. I don't think it was you specifically they were targeting. But Shoji came to your defense. Kinda surprising. You've got good friends there."
Haru turned to Shoji, Sero, Hagakure, and Tsu. "Thanks, guys. For that and for the support. I heard you all from down there."
Shoji nodded. "Their behaviour was unbefitting for heroes in training. I had to put a stop to it."
"Mina won her match, by the way," Hagakure told Haru. "You two will be fighting in the quarterfinals!"
Haru scratched his arm nervously. "I'm quivering." I still can't believe she kissed me. Was that just to mess with me? I mean, as much as I'd love to believe she does like me back, I have to entertain other possibilities. Don't want to get my hopes up that high.
It may have just been to psyche me out before our match, he thought darkly. If she saw how I hesitated against Shiozaki she might be planning to use her… female-ness, somehow.
Get a grip, Haru. Do you have any idea how dense you sound? Just forget it for now, you're too clueless to work at any sort of deduction. Idiot.
"Hmm, Mina-chan should be back soon, ribbit." Tsuyu's big eyes scanned the back row of the box, where the door was. "I know she didn't want to miss Ochaco-chan's match."
"Oh yeah, Uraraka's fighting Bakugo, huh?" Haru leaned forward, to where Midoriya and Iida were sitting. "She got a plan of some sort?"
The two boys that were closest to the brunette looked oddly at each other, then back to Haru. "She s-said she had one," Midoriya sputtered. "When I went d-down to see her, I m-mean." Where'd this guy's confidence from before go? "I was going to give her some advice like I wanted to g-give you, Namikaze, but she ref-fused it."
Just then, Mina came back. "Heeyyy, everyone!" she sang. Haru went stiff, feeling heat rush to his face.
"Hey, Ashido."
"Good work, Ashido!"
"Well done, ribbit."
Mina slid back into the second row and plopped herself down next to Haru, grinning with glowing eyes. "Did you see any of it, Haru? Hmm?" She scooted up against him, causing their shoulders and hips to touch.
Haru looked down at his feet, embarrassed at the situation. "Sorry… no. I just got back at the end of the seventh fight."
She pouted. "Rude. I guess I'm gonna have to kick your ass even harder, then." Her fingers danced up his arm teasingly, and she scooted herself even deeper into him. She's really soft. Argh. What is happening to me?
No one else in the box seemed to be paying attention to them, though. They were all looking down at the platform, where Bakugo and Uraraka were exchanging words. Haru wished he knew what they were saying. What could the two of THEM possibly have to talk about?
"What was the plan you were going to tell her, by the way?" Iida asked Midoriya.
"Well…" Midoriya looked down at the two opponents. "It wasn't anything all that special. Kacchan has incredible natural power, and no real openings. His reflexes and sense for combat are practically a Quirk in themselves, and since his explosions come from his sweat, he gets more powerful the more he moves. Uraraka, on the other hand… if she touches him once, she wins. With those things in mind, the best option for her is…"
"EIGHTH MATCH, START!" Present Mic yelled.
"… a swift attack!" Midoriya finished, just as Uraraka dashed forward, crouched low toward the ground. The crowd gasped.
Bakugo's eyes widened, and he set off an explosion in-between them. Uraraka disappeared in fire and smoke.
"Ah!" Hagakure squeaked, appearing to cover her eyes. "I'm so scared for Ochaco!"
"Is Bakugo TRYING to kill her?" Jiro demanded sharply.
"Surely not even Bakugo would stoop to something so low!" Iida declared.
Midoriya clicked his teeth. " Weeeelll…"
As the smoke cleared around Bakugo, Uraraka's gym uniform became visible, and he blew an explosion at it… but then Uraraka herself came round from the back, now just in a black tank top. The crowd whooped in shock. "Whoa!" Mina suddenly sat up in surprise, allowing Haru to breathe a little easier.
Bakugo whirled in an instant and blew her away anyway, and the crowd all winced collectively. "Like I said," Midoriya squeaked. "His reflexes are superhuman."
Uraraka tried again and again to touch Bakugo, but he stayed in the same spot, blowing her away with an explosion each time. She was clearly getting more and more worn out and injured with each attack. The crowd was rising in fury.
"Hey, buddy! Stop standing there and hurting her like that!"
"If you want to win, attack and throw her out!"
"Playing with the poor girl is not hero behaviour at all!"
"Was that a pro hero who just said that?" Aizawa's voice through the mic. "How long have you been a pro? If you really believe what you just said, you should consider a different career. Bakugo is being careful because he's acknowledged the strength of his opponent and doesn't want to give her an opening by attacking recklessly."
Haru looked at Bakugo's face. He looks cool, focused. There's no anger or sadism there.He… he DOES respect her.
More than I can say for Todoroki. But still, even so… Haru looked down at Midoriya's burnt notebook, now tucked away under his seat again. Someone does need to put you in your place too.
Uraraka ended up trying to use all the debris Bakugo had broken off the platform with his explosions. She'd been periodically floating it all up above the arena and had it rain down like a meteor shower. Even still, the explosion user blew it all away, seemingly effortlessly. Uraraka was blown back yet again.
"Oh no," Yaomomo gasped.
"Holy shit," murmured Sero.
"Arrgh!" Mina yelped and wrapped herself around Haru's arm, as if frightened. Haru gave her an annoyed side glance. Taking another opportunity to psyche me out, when Uraraka is out there suffering? Really?
Uraraka tried to get up and attack again, but collapsed. Midnight came out and pronounced her unable to continue. Bakugo had won.
"Mina," Haru said plainly as the crowd and Present Mic reacted to the results noisily. "Could you please get off of me now?"
Mina did so, although she gave him a confused glance. From behind them, Tsuyu watched carefully, although neither of them noticed.
"What?" the acid user asked him, forming an uncertain smile. "Do you not like it?"
"You're trying to psyche me out before we fight, and it's not going to work."
Mina's dark eyed widened. "That's… not…"
"Do you realise what these results mean?" he asked her. "Whichever of us wins has to go up against either Kirishima, aka the guy who kicked my ass in the battle trial, and your childhood friend, or Tetsutetsu, the guy with the same power as Kirishima, or Bakugo. Bakugo. "
Mina swallowed. "You've gotten… all serious about this now, haven't you?" She attempted another grin and a chuckle, but there was fear in her eyes.
Haru shrugged. "You saw what just happened." Uraraka was being half-carried out by medical bots, while Cementos repaired the decimated fighting platform. "This is the top. The only people who get this far are…" he swallowed. "The most serious people."
"But…" Mina laid a hand on his shoulder. It wasn't teasing or flirtatious, but comforting. "Remember. Whatever happens, we have no hard feelings! We're both gonna go in and do our best!"
"Of course." He smiled at her, and they turned away from each other, satisfied. The kiss was not addressed.
Kirishima beat Tetsutetsu in an arm wrestling match, meaning he'd be moving on to fight Bakugo.
"The qualifiers are over!" Present Mic announced. "That means it's time to begin the quarterfinals! The first match will be… Midoriya Izuku versus Todoroki Shoto!"
Haru froze. He'd forgotten all about this.
Midoriya stood, silent as a grave, and trudged out of the box. Class A all exchanged uncomfortable glances. Todoroki had left long ago.
"Forget our match," Mina whispered. "Whatever's about to happen… is the real big deal of the day."
Gulping, Haru could only agree.